Tips for using the Grass Valley 3000/4000
Mapping Switcher Crosspoints
To assign switcher inputs to crosspoints, enter the "Config" menu and select the "input" softkey then select the "map inputs" softkey. Next, on the switcher preset bus select the crosspoint that you'd like to map to. You'll see it's current source and name appear on the screen. Select the input number with the top knob. Accordingly, select the appropriate key source (or "None") below that. If a key source has been selected, select shaped or unshaped (depending on the device: although this is often debated, I use "shaped" for chyron and sometimes tape sources and frame stores but not DVE).
Naming/Renaming Switcher Crosspoints
To rename the mneumonics for each crosspoint, go to the same menu as described above (Config->Inputs->MapInputs). The rightmost softkey will take you to the "name crosspoint" menu where you can build a new mneumonic for the crosspoint currently selected via the preset bus. A nice feature is the ability to preset a similarly named crosspoint, save that name, preset the one you wish to change, get the saved name back and modify it. This is great if your show features VT-A, VT-B, etc. or if you need to steal the name from another crosspoint. You should make it a habit to name your crosspoints as (or right after) you map your switcher to avoid confusion later.
Storing E-mems (Snapshots)
E-mem storing and recalling is about the same as any other Grass Valley switcher. Pressing "learn" and one of the 10 numbers will save the state of that bus (ME or Pgm/Pst) into that E-mem. Two banks of 10 E-mems are available on each ME bus (selected by the bank buttons) and an additional 8 (banks 2 - 9) are accessible through the shift button.
Two notes should be made about the master E-mems:
- Only the levels of the switcher that have been selected will be memorized. This becomes very important when handling the DVE and GPIs with the DPM levels.
- The recall of ME E-mems is done differently depending on whether the switcher E-mem mode is in "standard" or "300" mode. In "standard" mode, the state of the selected MEs is learned. In "300" mode, the currently recalled E-mem number of the selected MEs is learned and that E-mem will be recalled by the master E-mem when it is recalled.
Recalling E-mems
E-mems are simply recalled by pressing the number of the E-mem that is to be recalled.
With master E-mems only the selected levels of the switcher will be recalled unless the E-mem was learned with the "auto recall" button lit. In this case, the delegations that were in place during the E-mem learn function will be set prior to recall. This is the preferred method most often.
Using Keyers
Each bus (all ME's and P/P) have two keyers. Each of these conveniently has a "key cut" and "key mix" button.
Setting the keyers is fairly straightforward but performing split keys is not very obvious. To set a "split key" select the fill source on the correct keyer source row then press and hold the "autoselect" button (for about a second) and select the key source on the same keyer row.
Handling the DVE
This is a very involved topic but important to know, so if you have a half hour this can make your show a lot easier to handle. What appears here is my first attempt at explaining this complicated topic but it came out too ... complicated. I have since written a new section called Understanding 3000/4000 and DVE Communication which should make things more clear. It is not complete so if you have problems with CPL or communications between the switcher and DVE, refer back here for some answers.
Be forewarned that controlling a DVE from a 3000/4000, although a wonderful thing, is wrought with nuances and details that can get you in a jam. Although I can't guarantee that the following will work, the odds are very good that it will if you have the tenacity to stick with it and follow through.
More than likely, the DVE will be interfaced to the switcher using a protocol such as CPL, P-Bus or some other. As evidenced by the fact that you are reading this, I'm going to assume that you'd like to use a simple method for handling the DVE so if you're using CPL I'll recommend that you change it to P-Bus. If you are using an A51 or A53, this is not necessary as it will already be using a similar protocol (and you can skip to step 4).
Step 1: (DVEous users only) Find out the protocol that you are using. Go to Config->ExternIF->PeripheralI/F and note the protocol that is selected. If it is P-Bus (Pbus2) or anything other than CPL then proceed to step 4.
Step 2: On the DVEous press the "Remote" button (upper right) and note the settings of the Aux Port and the Editor Port. CPL will be using one of those ports and P-Bus will use the other. You have to determine which by any of the following methods:
- Ask your EIC.
- If one port is on and the other is off, chances are good that the "off" port is for P-Bus. This is further evidenced if the one that is "on" is set for CPL.
- If both are on and one is set for "periph", that's probably the one (especially if the other is set for CPL).
Enable the P-Bus port (whichever it is) and select "periph" as the protocol. Be sure that the baud rate and parity match those of the switcher (Config->ExternIF->PeripheralI/F menu) and do NOT change them in the switcher unless the EIC OKs it. The device ID should probably be 0 but check with the EIC for that.
Step 3: If you've gotten this far, change the protocol in the switcher from CPL to P-Bus.
Step 4: Now let's see if the DVE and switcher are communicating! Recall a DVE effect that does something obvious when it runs. Be sure that the correct trigger is selected (probably A for the DVE) and fire it from the "fire" softkey on the switcher. The DVE should run. If not, you may need to check the P-Bus/GPI enable buttons on the switcher panel, the communications parameters in the DVE and the cabling as well.
Step 5: Note the E-mem level assignment of the DVE. Usually DPM1 will be selected (and I'll call it DPM1 from here on out and recommend you change it to that unless your aux buses are already mapped there).
Step 6: Select the E-Mem->PeriphDevices menu on the switcher. Using the softknob at the lower right, select the device number corresponding to the DVE (probably 0) and turn its state to "on". If you're using an A53 you might have a problem with only 1 channel being recalled. If so, turn on the next device as well because this DVE is using one device number for each channel (you'll probably have 0 and 1 "on"). Now when you save an E-mem with the DPM1 level delegated, the DVE will remember whatever effect is currently recalled and associate it with that E-mem.
Step 7: On the master E-Mem panel, turn on the "auto recall" button and delegate DPM1 and learn an E-mem. Recall a different effect in the DVE and then recall that E-Mem again. If the original effect is recalled in the DVE, you're in business! If not, you probably did not select and enable the correct device number.
Step 8: Now you should check the mapping of your aux buses so that you can easily control the aux bus sources for each DVE effect you use. Go to the Config->ExternI/F->DPMI/F->DPMMapAuxBus menu and see what E-Mem level the relevant aux buses are on. Usually Auxes 1 and 2 will feed the DVE but sometimes 3 and perhaps 4 will too. They may be mapped to the Misc level (and you can leave them there) but I like to map them to DPM2 to avoid E-meming too much of the switcher. I'll refer to DPM2 but if you leave them mapped to Misc, use Misc where I call for DPM2.
Step 9: If you are using a digicart and triggering it with a GPI from the switcher (which I do if possible for more control) go to Config->ExternI/F->GPIOutputs and select DPM4 (or another DPM that you are not using for anything else... but I'll call it DPM4). Be SURE that you have selected the right GPI out and test fire it to be sure it works. If you have the luxury of an extra digicart and need to fire it from another GPI, you can still assign it to DPM4 and control it independently from your other GPIs.
Step 10: You are well advised to stick a strip of white tape next to the 4 DPM delegation buttons next to the master E-Mem section and write next to each DPM button what it controls. My associations are DPM1 - DVE, DPM2 - Aux, DPM3 - (nothing), DPM4 - GPI.
Step 11: You may begin storing E-mems that will recall your various DVE effects and any accompanying aux bus sources. Do this as follows:
a. Recall the desired DVE effect from the DVE panel.
b. Select the desired sources on the aux buses that feed the DVE.
c. Turn on the DVE device number(s) in the E-Mem->PeriphDevices menu (note: Be sure these are OFF when saving any E-mem that is not supposed to recall a DVE effect.)
d. Turn on the "auto recall" button and delegate the DPM1 level. If you want to save the state of your aux buses (most likely) delegate DPM2. If you need to be sure that the correct page of a frame store is selected (upon recall), delegate Misc. If you need to have the state of an ME bus recalled as well, delegate that level but don't overbuild your effects!
e. Store the E-mem that you wish to use to recall this effect.
Recalling this E-mem should recall the correct DVE effect and feed it with the correct aux bus sources and any other magic that you assigned to the E-mem. Recall a different effect, change some aux sources and test this.
Step 12: Now you need a "run" button! We'll use an E-mem for that. Yes, I know it will burn up an E-mem or two, but would you rather be building timelines?
a. In the E-Mem->PeriphDevices menu, turn OFF the DVE's device number(s) to prevent unintentional recall of a DVE effect.
b. In the E-Mem->GPI&PbusTriggers menu, select the DVE device (probably A) and turn on its DPM assignment (probably DPM1 but whatever one it lists). Delegate that DPM level on the master E-mem panel.
c. (ONLY if you wish to fire a GPI with this button too) In the same menu, select the GPI(s) that you wish to fire when you press the run button and turn on its E-Mem level assignment (probably DPM4 but whatever one it lists). Delegate that E-mem level on the master E-mem panel.
d. Choose an E-mem and learn it (with the "auto recall" on). This should run your DVE when pressed and fire a digicart if you used step C above. If you are firing a digicart, you may want to create another run button that does not (in case you need to run without sound for flying fonts, previewing effects, etc).
Congratulations! If everything now works, you should be set!
Using the Frame Stores
(Section not complete.... use at your own risk)
The 3000/4000 has 4 different pages of video/key frame stores. This means that you can store a video frame and a key frame (or two video frames) at each page. Only one page can be selected at a time so you only have two video sources available at any given moment. Of course, to use the frame store(s) you need to map the output of the frame store (one crosspoint for the video output and one for the key output) into the switcher. The page selection can be recalled through the Misc level of the master E-Mem so you can save artwork for various DVE effects in the frame store pages and recall the correct pages as your DVE effects are recalled.
Tips for using the frame store:
- Write down what you are putting into each frame store and back it up on a Still Store if you can. I've accidentally blown out a lot of frames through improper page selection and those busy tape and chyron people don't like giving you second chances.
- If you want frame (not field) display, be sure that both fields are selected for display in the frame store section of the switcher panel.
- When you grab frames, be sure that the delegation(s) for Video and/or Key are on because these determine which frame stores will actually be frozen. You can do one at a time if needed.
- If you have trouble grabbing the key frame, check the "Lock to Video" setting in the Frame Store menu and check to see if your video is on the B side of the aux that feeds the frame store (usually Aux 4).
Now you should be able to feed artwork from the frame store outputs into the DVE for your various effects. To recall the correct page for an effect, be sure that the Misc delegation is on and the correct page is selected when you save your E-mem for recalling that particular DVE effect.